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Recycle your holiday tree after the festivities are over

Don't clog up beautiful streams like this one in Settler's Cabin park with your old Christmas trees. Recycle them!

So Christmas is not quite here yet, but try to think past it for just a second and imagine what you will do with your dying Christmas tree (or whatever you call the pagan-originated detached winter pine).

You'll probably chuck it in the dumpster or throw it in the woods. Well, instead of contributing to the pile at the dump, or squishing the young, delicate plants of the forests Allegheny County Parks and the city of Pittsburgh have a more useful solution for your former holiday tree: Recycle it.

Beginning Dec. 26, nine county parks will be accepting trees from dawn to dusk. All lights, ornaments, tinsel and stands must be removed before dropping off the trees. Collections will continue through Jan. 16 and the specific drop-off points are listed below.

Pittsburgh also has a tree-recycling program, with trees accepted from 8 a.m. to 2.p.m at the four locations listed below. Trees are accepted year-round, except at the Strip District location. Lights, decorations, tinsel, stands, netting and plastic wrap must be removed from trees before dropping off.

For county drop-off zones, all trees will be wood-chipped and the resulting mulch will be used across the county’s regional parks. At Pittsburgh drop-off zones, trees will be mulched by a private contractor, with a percentage of that mulched being reused on city property.

Give a holiday gift to Mother Earth and recycle your tree this winter.

Allegheny County drop-offs:

Boyce Park: Parking lot by the wave pool

Deer Lakes: Parking lot by Veterans Shelter

Harrison Hills: Parking lot at the intersection of Chipmunk and Cottontail drives

Hartwood Acres: Parking lot at the mansion

North Park: Parking lot at the swimming pool

Round Hill: Parking lot between Meadow and Alfalfa Shelters

Settler’s Cabin: Parking lot by the wave pool

South Park: Parking lot at the swimming pool

White Oak: Parking lot by Poplar ShelterPittsburgh drop-offs:

East End, 2nd Division of Public Works: North Dallas Avenue at Hamilton Avenue

­ Hazelwood, 3rd Division of Public Works: Melanchton Avenue off 5200 block of Second Avenue